In the early morning of midsummer, by the Puyang River, a gunpowder workshop.

It was the time of the hour, on the east side of the workshop, on the right side of a twenty or thirty-meter-high mountain, around a large area of barren grassland, surrounded by military sergeants on guard, waiting for the battle. In the middle of the cordon, tables, chairs, tea, and snacks are readily available, and there are slaves who are making tea on the honeycomb coal stove, busy and happy.

However, at this time, a group of Zhu Zi officials were looking at the mountain bag, pointing and pointing, and their minds were not here.

"Your Highness, is your gunpowder really refined?"

Among the officials, Hu Yu, the ruling minister and the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, asked Zhao Hong on the side suspiciously.

He is the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, and the Ordnance Department is subordinate to the Ministry of Industry, so he naturally wants to make it clear.

"Hu Xianggong, after a while, you will know!"

Zhao Hong laughed.

As a nominal subordinate, he didn't care about Hu Yu, an old fox. Eight-sided exquisite, deceived and deceitful, but appeared at the right time.

As for gunpowder, he had absolute confidence. After Tian Yi's pondering and hard work for so long, it should also be available.

And when the gunpowder was made, his dispatch at this stage was completed, and he had to show it to the imperial court, test the fruits of his labor, and reward his meritorious deeds.

As for the next step, of course, it is to cast firearms.

"I am a melancholy guest in the world, and I ask you what is going on with tears. Jiguo Gong, your poems are masterful, but they are eye-opening for the old man! ”

Wei Liaoweng changed the topic and turned to poetry.

Recently, Zhao Hong's poems have been seen in tabloids. Come to think of it, as the tabloid said, Zhao Hong is going to write a book.

"Shame, shame! Deficiencies, I hope that Wei Gong will give me more advice! ”

Zhao Hong hurried to be humble. As for the anthology of poetry, it has been taken to Chen's Bookstore to be printed. There is no need for any polishing at all, only a detailed explanation of the poem itself for the reader's reference.

For example, the sentence "Count the romantic figures, but also look at the present dynasty", he interpreted "the present dynasty" as the younger generation of the Great Song Dynasty. But in the eyes of many, he is referring to himself.

In this era, there is indeed a need for a "merry man" to take the Great Song Dynasty out of the quagmire.

"Your Highness, you don't have to be polite. If your book is printed, the old man must buy more and study it well! ”

The ruling minister and the secretary of the military department said it seriously.

He looked at Zhao Hong, thought about it and asked:

"Your Highness, the book "Tatar Strategy" is shocking, and the old man has read some chapters, and his heart is beating and it is difficult to sleep. Your Highness, is this one person writing it? ”

"Xuan Xianggong, in fact, ......"

Zhao Hong was about to answer, when Tian Yi's shout sounded on the hillside.

"Your Highness, the gunpowder has been buried!"

"Light the fire when you're ready!"

Zhao Hong shouted loudly, commanding the people next to him.

"Everyone, take 30 steps back to the side of the wall, so as not to hurt anyone!"

Zhao Hong and the others retreated to the side of the wall of the medicine shop, which was regarded as a barrier in front of them. Zhao Hong. Looking towards the mountain bag, I saw Tian Yi lighting the fuse and running towards the other side of the mountain.

"All of them!"

The mountain shook at his feet, and a thunderous sound sounded on the bank of the Puyang River, the smoke was rising, the earth and rocks flew straight into the sky, the entire mountain top was lifted, and the hill more than 20 meters high was almost blown to the ground.

Xuan Xuan and the others turned pale, and it took a while to react, and they were uneasy and flashed out.

"Xuan Xianggong, this gunpowder ...... It's so powerful! ”

Hu Yu's face turned pale, and the mountain bag just now was gone, and almost only a small mound with a severely shrunken area of four or five meters remained.

"If this is buried under the city wall, it is estimated that the entire city wall will be blown up!"

Xuan Xuan nodded and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

If there is such a powerful gunpowder, it is enough to protect yourself.

"This is really a national weapon! Je Guogong, what a ...... It's unexpected! ”

Wei Liaoweng shook his head, his eyes full of amazement.

He was about to say hello to Zhao Hong, but the latter suddenly changed color and said a sentence in his mouth.

"I'll go!"

"What?"

Before Wei Liaoweng could understand it, Zhao Hong had already run to the east, and then many people followed Zhao Hong and ran towards the east.

"What's wrong? Check it out! ”

Xuan Xuan was also confused, and a bad feeling floated in his heart.

Could it be that something happened?

It didn't take long for the sergeant to hurry back, sweating profusely.

"A few ministers, the gunpowder is too strong, and they buried a few craftsmen under the mountain in the east, and even the Tian Ti Shi was injured, and a cadre of people is being rescued! The Duke of Jeguo told the ministers to let you return to Lin'an City first, and he then reported the matter to the imperial court! ”

Xuan Xuan and the others were all surprised and looked at each other. No one could have imagined that such a thing would happen.

After waiting for a while, the sergeant came to report that two craftsmen had died, Tian Yi was in a coma, and was sent to Huiji County by Zhao Hong for medical treatment.

"The gunpowder is really powerful, but unfortunately it killed people. And that Tian Yi, he's going to be fine, right? Did he leave a recipe for the artillery? ”

Hu Yu shook his head and sighed.

"Hu Xianggong, now that people don't know what to do, don't talk about these things!"

Wei Liaoweng admonished the sergeant:

"You, hurry up and go to Huiji County to inquire, if you have anything, please come and report it quickly!"

The sergeant left, and Wei Liaoweng was secretly worried.

It was supposed to be an opportunity to make meritorious contributions, but it turned out to be a dead person. Needless to say, Zhao Hong is afraid that he will be criticized again.

"Xuan Xianggong, am I wrong? The imperial court has spent so much manpower and material resources, is it going to get nothing? ”

Hu Yu muttered unhappily.

"Hu Xianggong is a little restless, even if Tian Yi has something, it doesn't matter if he thinks about it. The gunpowder was made by Ji Guogong, not Tian Yi alone. Hu Xianggong can rest assured. The ministers will return to Lin'an City first, and the officials will report on the affairs here. ”

Wang Gang, the governor of Shaoxing Prefecture, said softly.

If you don't do anything, you will never make a mistake, but the person who does the work will have an accident. If so, will anyone still do things in the future?

"Everyone, let's go back to Lin'an City and see how to explain to the officials."

Xuanyi's face regained his composure and turned to leave.

With such a big thing as a human life, Zhao Hong is afraid that he will not be able to eat and leave.

In the medical hall of Huiji County, looking at Tian Yi who was lying on the bed, wrapped like a dumpling, Zhao Hong was shocked into a cold sweat.

"Lang Zhong, how is he?"

He is such an only son, he is not married, and he doesn't even have any offspring, if something really happens, he really doesn't know how to explain to Tian's father and Tian's mother.

This time he was so happy and sad that his crotch was cracked and the farmer's fat was soaring.

"You kid, you haven't married a daughter-in-law yet, you haven't tasted the joy of family, you can't die young!"

Xu Liang wiped his sweat and let out a sigh.

"Your Highness, Tian Tishi is fine, it's just a skin injury. It's just a hit on the head, and it's estimated that it will take a month. ”

Lang Zhong's words made Zhao Hong and Xu Liang both breathe a sigh of relief.

"Your Highness, it's me who is not good, and I have caused you trouble!"

Two craftsmen died, and Tian Yi was also empty-hearted.

"What! It was an accident! It's good if you're okay, take care of your injuries! ”

Zhao Hong comforted Tian Yi.

Now that the matter has come out, it's good to find a way to solve it.

"Dead people don't make much of a difference. If it gets to the court, I'm afraid it will be used by someone with a heart to play the topic. ”

Xu Liang's brows furrowed unconsciously.

At that time, he was also at the foot of Dongshan, and he wanted to see the grand occasion, but he was almost buried alive, and he felt scared when he thought about it.

"Don't worry. It's all trivial, and I can handle it myself. ”

Zhao Hong patted Xu Liang's shoulder and comforted his friend.

"Your Highness, this is the recipe for gunpowder. I've tried hundreds of times, and the last few are the most powerful! ”

Tian Yi took out a booklet from under the pillow and handed it to Zhao Hong, not forgetting to report it sneakily.

"Your Highness rest assured, including those two dead craftsmen, no one else knows the recipe and ingredients of gunpowder."

"I have a heart!"

Zhao Hong opened the booklet, and there were dozens of pages written on it about the test situation every time.

It seems that Tian Yi has put a lot of effort into the development of gunpowder, and he is also rigorous in his work.

"That's it! Take care of your injuries! Eat a trench, grow a wisdom. I'll take care of the rest! ”

Zhao Hong told Tian Yi and walked out of the house.

"Your Highness, two people were killed, this thing is not easy to do!"

Li Tang said with a dark face.

"If it's not good, you have to do it, now go to the homes of the two craftsmen and see how to compensate the family!"

Zhao Hong thought for a moment and ordered:

"Go, call Zheng Yuanwai, everyone go together!"

Zheng Hao is the head snake of the land, and asking him to go with him will definitely be able to better comfort the families of the two deceased.

"Your Highness, you have to be the master of my old king!"

When she entered the home of one of the deceased craftsmen, her wife was crying and crying, and her face was full of tears.

"Sister-in-law, this is all an accident, and there is no way to do it. I'll go up first and put incense on old Brother Wang. ”

Zhao Hong comforted the woman, went up to offer incense, and bowed respectfully three times.

"Your Highness, this is unacceptable!"

The prince saluted the common people, and the family members were panicked.

"Sister-in-law, if something happens to Lao Wang, no one wants to. You have two sons, if you don't dislike them, choose one of me as my bodyguard, and go to my house to do things. Don't worry, I can't treat him badly. ”

Zhao Hong waved his hand, and Zheng Hao hurriedly took a bag of money up.

"Sister-in-law Wang, this 500 yuan is His Royal Highness's own intention, and it can be regarded as Lao Wang's pension. Just take it! ”

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

"Your Highness, you are really a living bodhisattva!"

The family knelt on the ground and thanked Zhao Hong.

This young highness, in addition to being generous, the key is that there is no shelf, down-to-earth, and warm.

If they were to change to those people in the government, they would give little money, not to mention, and they would be vicious, as if someone had died in their family.

The other family is Zheng Fatzi's own family, only the mother and son, Zhao Hong treats everyone equally, and it is also a 500 yuan pension, and the family of the deceased talks are very harmonious, and Zheng Hao's family comes forward, there are no stumbles.

"Your Highness, you are truly a benevolent gentleman. In the future, if you become the emperor, the people of the world will be blessed! ”

When the group came out, Zheng Fatzi gave a heartfelt thumbs up.

"The people are simple and don't care about me. They are true gentlemen! ”

Zhao Hong smiled slightly and bowed.

"Zheng Yuanwai, thank you for today's incident."

This big fat man has helped a lot today.

"Your Highness, you're welcome. One day, the villain will ask for help, and ask His Royal Highness for help. ”

Zheng Yuanwai smiled, his face trembling with fat.

"Zheng Yuanwai rest assured, as long as he doesn't bully men and women or commit adultery, he will do his best."

Zhao Hong nodded lightly, serious.

"That can do those pickled things! Thank you, Your Highness, villain! ”

Zheng Hao's eyebrows fluttered, and he hurriedly thanked him.

Being able to get in touch with this prince is the biggest gain.

In these years, without the backing of officials, nothing can be done.

"Zheng Yuanwai, there are some things that need your help."

Zhao Hong took out the exploded shrapnel and handed it to Zheng Hao.

"Zheng Yuanwai, you can help me cast some more bullet shells, as thin as possible than this, and then carve grooves in the middle."

I don't know if the shell in front is too thick, and the amount of gunpowder has been increased, and it was only exploded into two or three pieces. The gunpowder is basically finalized, and it is estimated that it is a matter of the thickness of the shell.

"Your Highness, don't worry, the villain will do it when he goes down!"

Zheng Hao smiled and nodded yes.

"Zheng Yuanwai, thank you! And the matter of muskets, you try it slowly first, don't rush! ”

Grenades, muskets, artillery, all indispensable.

"Your Highness rest assured, Your Highness will go slowly, and the villain will leave!"

Zheng Yuanwai and Zhao Hong said goodbye and turned to leave.

"Your Highness, fortunately, I listened to you at the beginning and did not try to make gunpowder in Lin'an City, if it ignites, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Thinking of the explosion, Li Tang still had palpitations.

Fortunately, Zhao Hong tried to make gunpowder in Huiji Mountain, if it was in Lin'an City, once it exploded, it might cause a fire, and the joke would be big.

Zhao Hong nodded. The accident is easy to solve, but the pressure of public opinion brought by it must be covered by dark clouds.

"Your Highness, can that gunpowder really explode? And blow people up? ”

Xu Sheng asked ignorantly.

I've only heard of gunpowder burning, but I've never seen gunpowder explode, and the power is so terrifying.

"Of course!"

Zhao Hong glared at Xu Sheng and said angrily.

Two people died, one was injured, and I don't know how much turmoil there will be behind.

"Your Highness, the power of gunpowder is so great, the ministers of the court come to see. I don't think it will be a few days before this place will be taken back by the government. ”

Xu Liang said with a deep groan.

"The heavy weapon of the gunpowder country was originally owned by the imperial court, so there is nothing strange about it. The development of gunpowder, like iron smetting, must not be passed on, otherwise you and I will be the sinners of the Great Song Dynasty! ”

Zhao Hong's face was solemn, and he solemnly told Li Tang and the others.

In fact, iron-smelting technology is only the skin, and gunpowder formula and artillery training are fundamental.

"Your Highness, rest assured, without Your Highness's permission, outsiders here will never know!"

Li Tang and the others were all solemn and solemnly swore together.

"Your Highness, although you have smelted good iron, it is very likely that you have worked in vain. And ......"

Xu Liang looked at Zhao Hong and carefully advised:

"Your Highness, if someone dies in the development of gunpowder, someone in the court will inevitably impeach you, you have to swallow your anger and don't be impulsive."

"Don't worry, I'm not a kid anymore."

Zhao Hong smiled slightly and nodded.

It is foreseeable that in the court, there will definitely be a group of-stirring sticks waiting to deduct the basin for him.

However, he has become accustomed to these tricks in the court, and he is no longer surprised.

Sure enough, when he returned to Lin'an City, the court criticized the gunpowder death incident and Zhao Hong himself.

Under some rhetoric, the court punished Zhao Hong and Tian Yi, Zhao Hong was fined for half a year, Tian Yi was pushed to the end, demoted to a commoner, and was not hired for the time being.

The result of the punishment was naturally that both parties were not satisfied, because the punishment of the prince Zhao Hong was not painful, but the officials of the Great Song Dynasty were arbitrary, and the ministers were helpless.

Speaking of which, Zhao Hong's position as the prince can't be abolished.